Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1424 - 901: How Is This Sword of Mine? (Part 2)
Previously on Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather...
Yang Zhenshan was correct; Yun Xiao possessed a remarkably good disposition, always preferring amicable relations and avoiding unnecessary conflict.
However, Yang Zhenshan was unaware that Yun Xiao was also a Sword Cultivator!
The origins of Yun Xiao, who belonged to the Xuanqing Sect, could be traced back to Hidden Sword Mountain.
The unique skills of Hidden Sword Mountain required no further explanation.
While the Xuanqing Sect might not boast the profound heritage in Sword Dao that Hidden Sword Mountain did, it still commanded numerous Sword Dao inheritances.
"Heh, such a trifling path, how dare you flaunt it before this old man!"
A laugh, brimming with scorn, escaped Yun Xiao’s lips.
Perhaps it was his habitually gentle demeanor, or maybe his inclination towards being low-key, that led many to underestimate his presence.
Even within the Sea of Spirit, few seemed to truly regard him as a significant figure.
Yet, at over 260 years of age, he was nearing the lifespan limit for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
He was an ancient cultivator, well over two and a half centuries old, a Sword Cultivator who had dedicated more than two hundred years to his craft.
"Hidden sword within the bustling market, unheard, yet astounding the world upon its unveiling."
"This old man has remained silent for far too long!"
Yun Xiao's declaration resonated with immeasurable depth and, simultaneously, unleashed immense power.
It felt as though something within him was stirring.
A dark, yellow flying sword materialized before him, effortlessly neutralizing Zhou Tu’s Geng Metal Sword Qi.
"Hidden Sword Mountain favors concealing swords within scabbards, while this old man prefers to house his sword within his very being!"
"After concealing it for a lifetime, the time has come for this old man's sword to grace the world!"
He extended his hand, grasping the flying sword, and in that instant, his entire aura underwent a seismic shift.
Fierce Sword Intent erupted skyward, imbuing the very fabric of the world with an additional layer of sharpness; even the lightning crackling within the dense clouds appeared ensnared by its potent aura.
The sudden surge of Sword Intent caused every combatant on the battlefield to blanch, compelled to involuntarily direct their gaze upwards.
Yang Zhenshan, still locked in combat with Xu Mingzhu, also turned his eyes toward Yun Xiao, his expression etched with profound astonishment.
Even at this moment, he remained uncertain of Yun Xiao’s true expertise.
He was aware that Yun Xiao possessed mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation and, barring unforeseen circumstances, was poised to soon ascend to the late-stage.
But Yun Xiao’s specific forte remained an enigma to him.
Had he overlooked it?
No!
Yun Xiao had concealed his capabilities with exceptional skill.
Despite knowing each other for over two decades, Yang Zhenshan had never truly grasped the extent of Yun Xiao’s strength.
That formidable Sword Intent pierced through the gloom, and in the subsequent moment, the sword in Yun Xiao’s grasp descended in a slash.
The piercing shriek of the sword edge slicing through the air cut through the rain-laden clouds, and the world itself seemed to warp into a swirling vortex.
Invisible Sword Qi surged like a palpable, dark tide, reducing mountains to rubble and diverting rivers as it swept forth. It was as if immense chasms were being carved into the void, with dark purple lightning dancing within these rifts, suggesting the imminent collapse of the world.
The sword’s edge met Zhou Tu, whose face contorted from fury to sheer terror, a mixture of shock, lingering disbelief, and stark panic clouding his features.
In the blink of an eye, Zhou Tu disintegrated into a wisp of dust, dispersed by the tempestuous winds.
A collective gasp of stunned silence swept through the observers!
Even Xu Mingzhu stood dumbfounded, his face a mask of disbelief as he fixated on the sword clutched in Yun Xiao’s hand.
He appeared to have forgotten the ongoing battle, the grief and rage over his brother’s demise, his entire being transfixed by the figure standing as unyielding as a sword.
The swift demise of three Foundation Establishment Cultivators by Yang Zhenshan moments earlier had not elicited such a reaction from him.
Yang Zhenshan, too, was momentarily stunned; he had never envisioned Yun Xiao possessing such terrifying power.
Previously, he had perceived Yun Xiao as possessing a pleasant temperament and a valuable ally, but he had never conceived of his strength reaching such a horrifying level.
Yet, upon further reflection, Yun Xiao wielding such might did not seem entirely out of the realm of possibility.
Although the Xuanqing Sect was not an Immortal Cultivator sect in the traditional sense, it possessed a vast array of Immortal Dao Skills, and the treasures acquired from the Ancient Relic Array were numerous indeed; in terms of foundational strength, the Xuanqing Sect surpassed the present Spirit Source Land.
"Indeed, one should never underestimate any seasoned individual!" Yang Zhenshan mused inwardly with a sigh.
Master Jing Shui’s strength was unfathomably immense; though Yun Xiao was younger than Master Jing Shui, his power was equally, if not more, horrifying.
"It's no wonder he readily agreed to dealing with Zhou Tu; had I known his true capabilities earlier, I would have assigned him to face Xu Mingzhu instead!"
Yang Zhenshan observed Xu Mingzhu, who had also stabilized, but his expression was grim, shifting from anger and malice to a hint of panic.
"How was that slash, old man?" Yun Xiao inquired, turning towards Yang Zhenshan.
Yang Zhenshan flashed a wide grin, giving a thumbs-up. "Terrifyingly powerful!"
Yun Xiao wasn't sure of the precise meaning behind Yang Zhenshan's gesture, but he let out a hearty laugh nonetheless.
"Hahaha~~~"
His laughter resonated differently this time, his entire demeanor transforming as if he were an entirely new individual.
"Then how about another strike!"
He raised his sword once more, this time directing the point at Xu Mingzhu.
Xu Mingzhu’s heart turned to ice instantly, and without a second thought, he bolted into the distance.
Yang Zhenshan made no move to pursue, his gaze fixed with fascination on the sword held by Yun Xiao.
The sword’s edge descended.
With a bellow, the gray-white Dharma Body disintegrated; the physical body abruptly crumbled, bright red flesh exploding and scattering into the sky.
"Dead!"
"Just like that, he's dead!"
Yang Zhenshan muttered to himself.
To deal with Xu Mingzhu and Zhou Tu, he had spent over half a month making preparations, even summoning Xuanzhen and others, and arranging for Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun to set up the Great Array. Yet, Yun Xiao had resolved everything with just two sword strikes.
Had he known this would be the outcome, why would he have gone through all that trouble!
Yang Zhenshan glanced at Yun Xiao with a touch of resentment. "Senior, why didn't you reveal your immense strength earlier?"
Yun Xiao chuckled, "Are these two slashes worth two Demon Essence Pills?"
"They are, absolutely worth it!" Yang Zhenshan had nothing more to say; he couldn't possibly deny the favor owed.
"Haha, that's good! Fancy another sword strike?" Yun Xiao laughed heartily.
Having kept his Hidden Sword sheathed within him for two hundred years, Yun Xiao had only today found himself willing to draw it, and not without considerable reason.
Firstly, his own lifespan was dwindling. Although his cultivation was approaching the late stages of Foundation Establishment, even upon reaching that level, his remaining lifespan would likely be a mere eighty years.
Within eighty years, it was highly improbable he would ever breach the threshold of the Golden Core Realm.
In truth, even if Yang Zhenshan hadn't intervened, he would have eventually sought an opportunity to display his sword mastery; he couldn't simply carry his sword to the grave, could he?
After developing an acquaintance with Yang Zhenshan, his intention was to unleash this sword strike upon Yang Zhenshan, not to confront him, but rather to obligate Yang Zhenshan to a significant favor.
Only by acquiring sufficient Demon Essence Pills could he entertain any hope of reaching the Golden Core Realm.
Yang Zhenshan, originally not weak himself and possessing exceptional mobility techniques, made it challenging to find a suitable moment for intervention, leaving Yun Xiao with no alternative but to openly offer his assistance.
His gaze shifted towards the remaining four adversaries in the sky: Master Zhou and Xu Mingzhu's three subordinates.
Yang Zhenshan gave a light chuckle, casually stroking his beard. "Then how about one more sword strike? Let this junior witness the elder's magnificence!"
"Wait!" Master Zhou cried out urgently.
He desperately desired to plead for his life.
Unfortunately, Yun Xiao offered him no such opportunity.
Sword Intent surged skyward, the sword's edge cut across the heavens, the biting chill receded, the clouds trembled, and the wind and rain scattered in disarray.
Yun Xiao's eyes blazed like swords as he declared loudly, "This is the final strike!"
The sword cleaved across the river, shattering the Great Array and plunging into the winding mountain stream.
The very instant the sword's edge touched the riverbed, the entire world seemed to hit a standstill. Initially silent and serene, the cracked Great Array then exploded outwards with violent force; thousands of runes erupted like shattered starlight, transforming everything they touched into frozen statues that instantly crumbled into rustling ice crystals.
The river water was violently split in two, hanging suspended in the air for a moment. The currents below, along with the fish and shrimp, froze into an uncanny tableau, as if time itself had been severed by the Sword Qi.
The rocks at the river bottom could not withstand this terrifying power. From the point of contact with the sword tip, cracks spread like a spiderweb in all directions. Within moments, the mountain range within a hundred-mile radius emitted an unbearable groan.
With a deafening, earth-shattering roar, the ground quaked violently. The original riverbed appeared to be plowed into deep furrows, with everything in its path ruthlessly obliterated.